Municipal Council unveils seven key measures to empower people with disabilities
Abdullah Al-Mahri, the President of the Municipal Council, stated that Kuwait has made great strides in empowering people with disabilities through the efforts of government and civil society institutions.
• Abdullah Al-Mahri highlighted the approval of the ‘Kuwait Code of Accessibility’ and ongoing efforts to issue a law enhancing the rights and integration of people with disabilities.
During a special session on Monday, chaired by Abdullah Al-Mahri, the Municipal Council concluded seven recommendations aimed at promoting the integration, rehabilitation, employment, and empowerment of people with disabilities, as well as addressing other key issues affecting this group, Al Qabas newspaper reported.
Abdullah Al-Mahri, the President of the Municipal Council, stated that Kuwait has made significant progress in empowering people with disabilities, thanks to the efforts of government agencies and civil society institutions, which have contributed to improving the basic services provided to them.
He added during the session, titled “A Built Environment to Enable the Integration of People with Disabilities in Society,” held in cooperation between the Kuwait Association for Follow-up on the Issues of the Disabled and the Disabled Committee of the Municipal Council, that the session aimed to address several key issues benefiting people with disabilities. These included discussing the “Kuwait Access Code” to facilitate the use of official digital applications for people with disabilities, along with representatives from official bodies, public benefit associations, and civil society institutions.
He highlighted one of the country’s achievements—the approval of the “Kuwait Code of Accessibility,” which aims to ease the access of people with disabilities to buildings and public facilities.
He also mentioned that work is underway to issue a law that enhances their rights and ensures their equality and integration into society, stressing that “Al-Baladi” is cooperating with ministries and institutions to establish laws that reinforce the needs and requirements of people with disabilities.
The recommendations proposed during the session, which was attended by members of the Municipal Council, representatives from government agencies, and several people of determination, included the need to ensure that all public and private sectors with general use implement the access code.
Other recommendations included the participation of civil society institutions related to disability in updates to the access code, addressing competent authorities to allow the establishment of schools and rehabilitation centers for people with disabilities in typical residential areas, providing consultations on the access code to interested parties, publishing the access code for community benefit, and continuing to hold special sessions for people with disabilities in cooperation with the Kuwait Association for Follow-up on the Issues of the Disabled, based on a schedule determined by the Municipal Council.
The recommendations emphasized addressing the responsible authorities to designate land for disability clubs and to follow up on the development of engineering designs related to the ease and accessibility code.
State facilities lag in accessibility standards, creating inconvenience for people with disabilities
For her part, Suad Al-Fares, President of the Kuwait Association for the Follow-up of the Issues of the Disabled, explained that the session focuses on the access code for people with disabilities, which they have been advocating for years. It has now been implemented and circulated to state ministries for application.
However, many state facilities have not yet applied the standards, causing embarrassment and inconvenience for people with disabilities when visiting these places.
Al-Fares expressed a desire for these standards to apply not only to buildings but also to create a smooth, comfortable work environment for people with disabilities. This would help eliminate any non-human or material obstacles they face.
She stressed that everyone working with or interacting with people with disabilities in any state institution should be knowledgeable about the capabilities of these individuals to support them and ensure their comfort and reassurance.
She also called for allowing the establishment of rehabilitation centers in residential areas to facilitate access for people with disabilities, in accordance with systems and regulations that permit this.
Claims of people of determination
- Improving the lives of people in need and their families.
- Working to implement their law effectively.
- The need to design an appropriate urban environment and provide accessible public transport.
- Development of public facilities to ensure easy access.
Kuwait Vision 2035 for people with disabilities
The head of the Committee on Persons with Disabilities in the Municipal Council, M. Al-Roumi, stated that the session coincided with the celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, observed on December 2.
He was pleased to confirm the Municipal Council’s approval of the Kuwait Code for Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities, which aligns with the general design and is considered one of the most significant achievements in the project to fulfill Kuwait Vision 2035 for people with disabilities.
Humanitarian character
M. Munira Al-Amir, a member of the Disability Affairs Committee in the Municipal Council, stated that Kuwait has a clear orientation towards assisting people with special needs. This orientation supports the humanitarian character of the Kuwaiti personality, which is reflected in both its cultural and social backgrounds, as well as in the official character.
People with disabilities are an active part of society
Sheikha Al-Abdullah, the Honorary President of the Kuwait Sports Club for the Disabled, emphasized that people with disabilities are an active part of society. She noted that our children with disabilities have been able to reach global recognition, thanks to the support of the government, civil society, and their families.
Kuwait is a pioneer in supporting people with disabilities
Ambassador Sheikha Jawaher Al-Sabah, the Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Human Rights Affairs, expressed her appreciation to the President and members of the Municipal Council for holding this session.
She highlighted that Kuwait works through joint efforts between government agencies, public benefit associations, the private sector, and the public. These efforts have allowed Kuwait’s citizens to reach various international forums, including sports. She stressed that Kuwait is a pioneer in supporting people with disabilities.
